You’ve decided that you’re ready to be a parent. The question is: Is your body on board? To be financially, emotionally, and socially ready to raise a child is one thing, but to actually conceive is another. More and more couples are experiencing fertility issues, with natural, un-aided conception being seen as a gift, not just a “thing of nature.”

So what can you do to get your body more in-sync with your family plans?

Here are 5 things you should definitely start doing once you have “the talk”, no matter what your age or health condition.

1.   Get Medical Input

Even if you aren’t “officially” experiencing fertility issues, it’s a good idea to visit the doctor’s office when you start planning for expanding your family. Making sure that your baseline health is where it should be will make it easier to understand any variations due to pregnancy or adjust anything that could improve your chances to conceive more quickly. Even if you aren’t experiencing any issues, get a referral to a qualified gynecologist in Montreal who will be able to monitor your health and later assist in your obstetrics care.

2.   Chart Your Cycle

Though spontaneity is great in a relationship, it’s not always the key to successful conception. If starting or enlarging your family is the goal, knowing what is going on with the female’s reproductive system at a given point in time can give you more control over whether you get pregnant or not. Some people use this knowledge as a way to NOT conceive, but if that’s something you are aiming for, you have a better idea of when your act of love will result in new life.

3.   Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Just because you are hoping to conceive doesn’t mean that you should stop doing things like exercising or eating healthily. On the contrary, this is the time to really work on strengthening your bodies for the journey ahead. It’s also a great way to relieve stress, something that can really stand in the way if you are hoping to get pregnant. Consider making this a lifestyle for the both of you- it will also work wonders for your relationship!

4.   Reignite the Spark

Trying to get pregnant can sometime create a strain on a relationship. Continue to “date” during this time, not just being supportive, but having fun with one another. Go out for dinner, meet with friends, go dancing, and see a late show. These are things that are difficult to do later once you have a little one anyway, so live it up and soak in each other while you can!

5.   Don’t be Afraid to Seek Help

If you are finding this a challenge, don’t be afraid to seek help. From emotional support groups, medical specialists, counsellors, etc., there’s a whole team of people who can help you through this process. Like we said before, it’s a common issue that couples are running into, so don’t feel singled out or shy regarding searching for advice, answers, or even friendship.

Growing a family is hard work, whether starting one comes easily or not. Prepare your whole self for the experience that comes along with it, starting with the five steps mentioned above. It’s time to get a better understanding of our bodies and grow more in love with each other. Hopefully a baby will be a result of just that!